My dad's a great guy. That isn't news. I bought new sneakers too. But that's hardly worth writing about, until of course, you put those two things together.
My dad is a retired military Captain. When he speaks, I listen. Each year for my birthday he gives me some spending money and a personal request to actually spend it on myself. He knows me well. Without his request, the money would go towards house bills, or something for the kids etc. It's rare for me to think of myself first. But each year I honour his request and indeed I look forward to it. It's not just permission to splurge on myself, it's an order!
Other years I've bought sunglasses or jackets, sometimes perfume or clothes. It seems to be one of the only times I get all "girly" and buy myself something from a mall or department store. This year, I thought I'd follow more along the lines of the example he sets.
My dad is an athlete. He will probably gasp at me using that term, but it's true. He has always played tennis or badminton about 10+ hours a week, coached sports, watched sports and participated in everything we did as kids. He's a role model. As I get older I take my health more seriously too. It's not an age thing or a vanity thing, it's simply I want to be around for my kids and be able to keep up with them. And I do consume a whole lot more cheeseburgers than the average gal, so I need to work a little harder in the gym than most as well.
My dad skated with us after school, and I intend to do the same with my kids. I should say "keep doing" because I have skated with them on occasion and will continue to do so. We also hike and swim and play baseball (sometimes with random vegetables) and other crazy-fun games.
Back to the sneakers. The last pair of runners I bought I think I put 500 miles on recreationally. Then I started wearing them to work. I pretty much worked them into the ground. They are done. I wore every last mile out of them. We hiked a mountain together in Arizona. We cruised the neighbourhoods in Colorado and we've run through an airport to catch a plane. Time to say goodbye & thank you to those old shoes.
The new ones should be warned.... they're not going to sit in the closet. They're not going to be like some sort of trophy or gym pass. I did not buy them to sit on a shelf. I splurged and got Merrells because they fit my feet and my active lifestyle. Merrell Shoes
I feel like I splurged a little. But they're worth it. I will, of course, personally thank my dad for the gift, but I also thank him for being a role model. An active lifestyle, and one where you participate in activities with your kids is a life worth celebrating. I'm lucky to have people in my life who remind me to look after myself and every now and then, celebrate ME. And what girl doesn't like to celebrate with new shoooooz??
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